Police seek to identify man after hate-motivated assault

We are asking for the public’s help to identify a man believed to be responsible for a hate-motivated crime in the southwest community of Southwood yesterday.

At approximately 1:15 p.m., yesterday, Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, a woman was crossing the parking lot of Southwood Centre located at 10233 Elbow Drive S.W., when someone began honking at her from a parked vehicle. A man then emerged from the vehicle, rushing toward the victim aggressively gesturing, and making punching motions in front of the woman’s face while verbally threatening the victim that he would kill her because of his assumption of her religion. The woman continued to her vehicle where she was able to safely return home and then reported the incident to police.

The suspect is described as approximately 60 years old, with a heavy build and a bald head, and was wearing brown sunglasses, a checkered blue shirt, black pants and black shoes at the time of the assault.

Photos of the suspect are available on The City of Calgary Newsroom.

There is no place for hate in our city. Hate-motivated crimes are recognizable crimes, like assault, theft, vandalism or any other crime, where the offender was motivated by bias, prejudice or hate that is based on one of nine personal characteristics of the victim. If you see hate, report it. Visit www.reporthate.ca for more information on how and why to report.

We ask anyone with information to contact police by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477

TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org

APP: P3 Tips

Case #: CA23451636/5858